Holland couple's goals for art business Ambrose: Community first, money second

Greg Chandler | MLive.comAdam and Jenna Weiler, the Holland couple who founded Ambrose four years ago, print t-shirts and use proceeds from those sales to support arts programs for local teens.

HOLLAND, MI – Ask Adam and Jenna Weiler about whether their enterprise, Ambrose, is a business or a community service organization, and the answer you’ll likely get is “both.”

“We’re structured as a business, but we’re not in this to make as much money as possible,” Adam Weiler said. “The goal is to create community.”

Four years after launching Ambrose with an afterschool exploratory art program for high school students at the Holland Area Arts Council, the Weilers now have their own space to create and sell custom made T-shirts, as well as hold art classes for young people in the Holland community. They moved into their new location at 224 S. River Ave. last month, thanks in part to a $5,000 prize they won in March at the 5x5 Night, an event to promote entrepreneurial ideas at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Step inside the new facility, and you are greeted by examples of custom T-shirts that have been designed by guest artists as well as students. Proceeds from the sale of the shirts – a new one is designed every month – go into Ambrose’s art education programs, making it possible for students to participate at no cost.

To the left of the main entrance is a collaborative work space that includes screenprinting and letterpress equipment, allowing for creation and production of new T-shirt designs.

“We have everything in place to go, from start to finish,” said Weiler, 30, who began his college studies to be an engineer but switched his major to art his during junior year at Central College in Pella, Iowa. His wife, Jenna, graduated with a psychology degree from Hope College.

But at the heart of Ambrose’s mission is to encourage young people to find their artistic gifts and be able to express them. Each month, students participate in workshops where they learn about a different aspect of art and put together a collaborative project based on that theme.

Several other businesses share space with Ambrose, including Give Studio, run by local artist Anne Pageau, and photographer Michelle Tippman. Pageau loves the collaborative atmosphere fostered by Ambrose.

“I had been freelancing for several years, and was craving fresh connections. This space came at a really good time for me, personally, and it has been a blast to work on this project as a group,” Pageau said. “We have tons of ideas, such as workshops, pop-ups and collaborative products for retail, but are trying to be smart and planned about how we proceed.”

One recent collaborative project – titled “Prints for Pops” – encouraged families to stop inside to have a specially designed T-shirt made for Father’s Day, along with purchasing a card and have a photo-booth style family picture taken. The entire package cost $40.

“A lot of moms and kids came out. It went over really well,” Weiler said.

Lorma Freestone, executive director of the Holland Area Arts Council, says through Ambrose, the Weilers have demonstrated to young people the many opportunities that are available for people who choose to consider art as a career.

“(Ambrose) brings different artists to the attention of these students, to get them to see what working artists are doing, how they’re making their craft and marketing it,” Freestone said. “It gives a great example to these students that there is a way to weave your artwork and love of art into a career.”

Ambrose is open weekdays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., as well as additional hours for scheduled events. The company’s website is joyandrevolution.com.